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www.cheersonline.com 8 • March 2015 SPECIAL OCCASION WINE RECOMMENDATIONS Selecting the wine for a meal at a restaurant can be nerve-racking for many cus- tomers, especially when it's a special occasion or in the com- pany of important guests. So how do the wine professionals approach it? Bill Netherland, wine di- rector for HMGI Restaurant Group, the Charleston, SC- based parent company for the Blossom Cafe, Magnolias, and Cypress restaurants, shares what he would recommend for different dining scenarios. HOLIDAY MEAL WITH FRIENDS. If I sat down with a small group of friends for a dinner out, the first thing I would do is order some bubbly. No need to go expensive, since it won't last long and it's meant to just welcome every- one and give them something to sip while planning out the ordering. At Cypress, good options for this are the Domaine de Martinolles Brut Rosé Cremant de Limoux ($52) or Reserve de Lavernette Brut Nature "Granit" Beaujolais ($50). After the bubbly, one bottle of white and one bottle of red. DINNER OUT WITH THE BOSS. Assuming the boss is paying and wine-savvy, and that a guest would like to impress him or her, you will want a wine with the highest quality/price ratio. This can be complicated, but really just means a good deal for the price in any category. If you think the meal needs white wine, an interesting choice might be the Weiner Gemischter Satz by Weininger ($71). More traditional might be the Sancerre Domaine Roblin "Cuvee Ammonites"($57). A good deal on a red might come from a Bordeaux from an excellent great vintage from a lesser-known commune. Chateau La Vieille Cure Fronsac 2010 ($69) is great. AN INTIMATE DINNER WITH A SIGNIFICANT OTHER. Given the small "guest list," many would be in- clined to spend a bit more. I would start with two glasses of Delamotte Champagne to enjoy with oysters. Then I would probably suggest a great pinot noir such as Talley Estate "Rincon Vineyard" Arroyo Grande ($98) or Brick House "Cuvee du Tonnelier" Ribbon Ridge ($92). WORK PARTY. Value and quantity matter. One has more options to find value because most folks just want something pleasant to sip on and are probably not expect- ing a mind-blowing wine experience. The Martin Codax Albarino ($33) is a fresh and lively white, and the Alto de la Hoya Monastrell ($36) is a great medium-bodied red. LARGE FAMILY DINNER. When it's up to me, I cater to what I know about my family's taste and still look for value. If anyone likes a wine with more fruit (code for a bit sweet), I love the Josef Leitz "Dragonstone" riesling ($39). A drier white that I love is the Venica "Ronco del Cero" sauvignon blanc ($50). A nice, crowd-pleasing red is the Ferraton Pere & Fils Crozes—Hermitage (syrah) ($47). DRINK CULTURE PHOTO CREDIT: DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA PHOTO CREDIT: PETER FRANK EDWARDS